Vibration reducing device for archery bows

ABSTRACT

A dampening device for reducing torque and vibration present within an bow after casting an arrow is disclosed. In one embodiment, the dampening device includes a body portion, a substantially wedge-like extension extending from the body portion, and a planar surface connected to the body portion and configured to be secured to a bow.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/864,103, filed May 23, 2001, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/206,250,filed May 23, 2000, the contents of which are incorporated by referencein their entirety herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] When firing an arrow from a bow, an archer positions the shaft ofan arrow on a bow grip such that the nock of the arrow engages the bowstring. Thereafter, the archer draws the arrow and bow string rearwardlyfrom the limbs of the bow and the bow grip. As a result, great forcesare built up and stored in the deflection of the bow limbs as the bowstring is retracted. To cast the arrow, the archer releases the bowstring thereby permitting the bow limbs to rapidly return to a restingposition and resulting in the arrow being cast from the bow.

[0003] Frequently, as the arrow is released from the bow and immediatelythereafter, an extreme vibration is generated in various parts of thebow. In addition, some archers torque the bow off the target line whencasting the arrow. The torque and resulting bow movement may also beproduced by a physical reactive effect known as “archer's paradox.” Thevarious vibrations and torques created when casting an arrow rob thearrow of energy and may negatively affect the accuracy and speed of thearrow during flight. Furthermore, the vibrations and torques over timemay shorten the life of the bow and the various bow components. Lastly,the vibrations and torques created when casting an arrow may result inphysical discomfort to the archer and may adversely affect the joints ofthe archer over a period of time.

[0004] Thus, in view of the foregoing, there is an ongoing need for avibration-reducing device for archery bows.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present application discloses various embodiments ofvibration dampening devices for archery bows.

[0006] In one embodiment, a dampening device for a bow is disclosed andincludes a body portion, a substantially wedge-like extension extendingfrom the body portion, and a planar surface connected to the bodyportion and configured to be secured to a bow.

[0007] In yet another embodiment, a dampening device is disclosed andincludes a body portion, a substantially wedge-like extension extendingfrom the body portion, a planar surface connected to the body portionand configured to be secured to a bow, and an attachment plate coupledto the body portion.

[0008] In still another embodiment, a dampening device for a bow isdisclosed and includes at least one anchoring device configured to beaffixed to the bow, and a body portion having a substantially wedge-likeextension extending from the body portion and a planar surface connectedto the body portion. The body portion is configured to couple to theanchoring device.

[0009] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present inventionwill become apparent from a consideration of the following detaileddescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The dampening device of the present application will be explainedin more detail by way of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0011]FIG. 1 shows a side view of a bow having an embodiment of adampening device attached thereto proximate to the bow pulleys of thebow;

[0012]FIG. 2 shows a front view of a bow having an embodiment of adampening device attached thereto proximate to the bow pulleys of thebow;

[0013]FIG. 3 shows a side view of a first bow limb of a bow having anembodiment of a dampening device attached thereto;

[0014]FIG. 4 shows a side view of a bow having an embodiment of adampening device attached thereto proximate to the bow riser of the bow;

[0015]FIG. 5 shows a front view of a bow having an embodiment of adampening device attached thereto proximate to the bow riser of the bow;

[0016]FIG. 6 shows a side view of an embodiment of a dampening device;

[0017]FIG. 7 shows a rear view of an embodiment of a dampening devicehaving a base plate attached to a planar surface of the body portion asviewed along on the lines 7-7 of FIG. 6;

[0018]FIG. 8 shows a top view of an embodiment of a dampening device asviewed along on the lines 8-8 of FIG. 6;

[0019]FIG. 9 shows an elevated side view of an embodiment of a dampeningdevice having an attachment slot formed in an attachment plate;

[0020]FIG. 10 shows a top view of an attachment plate device which maybe affixed to a body portion of a dampening device;

[0021]FIG. 11 shows an elevated view of another embodiment of adampening device having an attachment member integral with the bodyportion;

[0022]FIG. 12 shows a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of anattachment device integral with a body portion of the dampening deviceshown in FIG. 11;

[0023]FIG. 13 shows a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of anattachment device integral with a body portion of the dampening deviceshown in FIG. 1 attached to a bow;

[0024]FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment ofan attachment member for coupling a dampening device to a bow;

[0025]FIG. 15 shows an elevated side view of an embodiment of adampening device having an attachment passage formed in the bodyportion;

[0026]FIG. 16 shows an elevated side view of an embodiment of ananchoring device of an embodiment of a dampening device;

[0027]FIG. 17 shows an elevated side view of an embodiment of a bodyportion of a dampening device;

[0028]FIG. 18 shows an embodiment of a dampening device having ananchoring device coupled to a bow and having a body portion coupled tothe anchoring device;

[0029]FIG. 19 shows an embodiment of a dampening device having ananchoring device coupled to a bow;

[0030]FIG. 20 shows an elevated side view of an alternate embodiment ofan anchoring device for use in anchoring an embodiment of the bodyportion of the dampening device as illustrated in FIG. 17 to a bow;

[0031]FIG. 21 shows an elevated side view of an embodiment of an insertfor use with the anchoring device as illustrated in FIG. 20;

[0032]FIG. 22 shows an elevated side view of an embodiment of an insertbeing inserted into the anchoring device as illustrated in FIG. 20;

[0033]FIG. 23 shows an elevated side view of an embodiment of adampening device having an anchoring device as shown in FIG. 22 attachedto the bow;

[0034]FIG. 24 shows an elevated side view of an embodiment of adampening device having an anchoring device as shown in FIG. 22 attachedto the bow wherein an insert is being positioned within the anchoringdevice;

[0035]FIG. 25 shows an elevated side view of an alternate embodiment ofa body portion of a dampening device having an insert formed therein;

[0036]FIG. 26 shows an elevated side view of another embodiment of abody portion of a dampening device having an insert formed therein; and

[0037]FIG. 27 shows a side view of a test rig used to test the vibrationcharacteristics of a bow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038]FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a bow 1 having bow limbs 3A, 3Bcoupled to a bow riser 4 having a bow grip 5 attached thereto. As shownin FIG. 1, a bow string 7 is engaging bow pulleys 9A, 9B located on thebow limbs 3A, 3B. A dampening device 10 is attached to the bow limbs 3A,3B. As shown, a first dampening device 10 is positioned on the first bowlimb 3A and a second dampening device 10 is positioned on the second bowlimb 3B. Those skilled in the art will appreciate any number ofdampening devices 10 may be positioned on the first bow limb 3A, thesecond bow limb 3B, or both. For example, FIG. 2 shows an embodimentwherein a bow 1 includes two dampening devices 10 positioned on thefirst bow limb 3A, and two dampening devices 10 on the second bow limb3B. Optionally, an equal number or unequal number of dampening devicesmay be position on the bow limbs 3A, 3B. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, thedampening devices 10 may be positioned on a first surface 11A of thebows limbs 3A, 3B. Optionally, at least one dampening device 10 may bepositioned on a second surface 11B of the bow limbs 3A, 3B. In analternate embodiment, either the first or second bow limb 3A, 3B,respectively may not include a dampening device 10 thereon.

[0039] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the dampeningdevices 10 are positioned proximate to the bow pulleys 9A, 9B.Optionally, the dampening devices 10 may be positioned anywhere alongthe length of the bow limbs 3A, 3B, the bow riser 4, and/or the bow grip5. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the dampening devices 10 may be positionedproximate to the bow riser 4. For example, the dampening device 10 mayinclude an attachment port (not shown) configured to receive a fasteningdevice (not shown) therethrough. In the alternative, the dampeningdevices 10 may be positioned on the bow limbs 3A, 3B intermediate of thebow pulleys 9A, 9B and the bow riser 4. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that by repositioning the dampening device 10 along the bowlimbs 3A, 3B, the archer may tailor the dampening effects of thedampening device 10 and the bow 1 to his or her liking. In oneembodiment, the dampening device 10 is manufactured from an elastomer.Optionally, the dampening device 10 may be manufactured from a varietyof materials, including, without limitation, elastomers, silicons,rubbers, plastics, fiberglasses, carbon fibers, composite materials,metals, ceramics, or any other suitable materials having appropriatedampening characteristics. For example, in one embodiment, the dampeningdevice 10 may be manufactured from a material, such as fiberglass, andmay be frequency matched to the vibrational frequency of the bow 1 orthe various components thereof.

[0040] FIGS. 6-8 show various views of an embodiment of a dampeningdevice 10. As shown, the dampening device 10 includes a body portion 12and a wedge-like extension 14 extending from the body portion 12. Thewedge-like extension 14 includes a substantially triangular shapetapering away from the body portion 12. A planar surface 16 is providedintegral to or otherwise connected to the body portion 12. In theillustrated embodiment the planar surface 16 includes an adhesive faceA, which may be overlaid with a protective liner (not shown) for storageand transport, thereby permitting the dampening device 10 to beadhesively coupled to the bow limbs 3A, 3B or the bow 1. (See FIG. 1).In an alternate embodiment, a base plate (not shown) may be coupled tothe planar surface 16. For example, the base plate (not shown) may beadhesively coupled to the planar surface 16, although a variety ofmaterials may be used to coupled the base plate (not shown) to theplanar surface 16. A variety of adhesives can be used for affixing eachdampening device 10 to a bow 1, including super glue, general purposeglue, epoxy resin, acrylic resin, urethane, resin, cement, natural gumsand resins, mucilage, starch and starch derivatives, rubber adhesives,cellulose derivatives, or combinations thereof. In lieu of adhesivefastening, a variety of mechanical fasteners can be used to couple thedampening device 10 to the bow, including, without limitation, screws,nails, clips, channels, bands, ties, compression fits, snap-fits, andthe like.

[0041]FIGS. 9 and 10 show another embodiment of a dampening device 110.As shown, the dampening device 110 includes a body portion 112 coupledto an attachment plate 116. The body portion 112 includes a planarsurface 113 and a wedge-like extension 114 extending from the bodyportion 112. The attachment plate 116 includes at least one attachmentport or slot 120 formed thereon. The attachment slot 120 may traversethe attachment plate 116 and body portion 112 and may be configured toreceive one or more attachment devices 122 therein. In the illustratedembodiment, the attachment slot 120 is located distally from thewedge-like extension 114. In an alternate embodiment, the attachmentslot 120 may be positioned proximate to the wedge-like extension 114. Inthe illustrated embodiment the attachment device 122 is shown to be ascrew. However, any number of devices may be inserted into theattachment slot 120 to couple the dampening device 110 to a bow 1, (seeFIG. 1), including, bolts, pins, screws, nails, or similar devices. Inone embodiment, the dampening device 110 may be coupled to the bow limbs3A, 3B with bow limb fasteners used for coupling the bow limbs 3A, 3B tothe bow riser 4. For example, the user may loosen a bow limb fastenerfrom the bow limb 3A and position the dampening device 110 such that thebow limb fastener traverses the attachment device slot 120. Thereafter,the user may re-tighten the bow limb fastener thereby coupling thedampeneing device 110 to the bow 1. As such, FIGS. 4 and 5 show anembodiment of a dampening device 10 attached to the bow limbs 3A, 3B ofa bow 1 proximate to the bow riser 4 using attachment devices 122.

[0042] FIGS. 11-14 show an alternate embodiment of a dampening device.As shown in FIGS. 11-13, the dampening device 210 includes a bodyportion 212 and an attachment plate 216. At least one attachment member224 may be attached to or integral to either the body portion 212, theattachment plate 216, or both. The attachment member 224 is configuredto engage and be retained within an attachment orifice 230 formed in abow limb 3A or 3B, or the bow riser 4 (See FIG. 1). In one embodiment,the attachment member 224 may include a head portion 226 having a firstdiameter D connected to the body portion 212 through a shaft 228. Theshaft 228 has a diameter D′ which is less than the diameter D of thehead portion 226. When inserted into the attachment orifice 230, thehead portion 226 is compressed and made to traverse a section of the bowlimb 3A through the attachment orifice 230, thereby coupling thedampening device 210 to the bow limb 3A. FIG. 14 shows an alternateembodiment of an attachment member 250 having a shaft 258 having one ormore flexible flanges 260 extending therefrom. The flanges 260 areconfigured to be inserted into an attachment orifice 230 and retainedtherein. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the attachmentmember 250 is configured to engage any thickness of a bow limb 3A or beotherwise coupled to a bow 1, thereby permitting a single dampeningdevice 210 to be coupled to a variety of bow styles or bow manufacturedby a variety of bow manufacturers. In addition, the attachment member224 illustrated in FIG. 14 permits a user to vary the depth theattachment member 224 is inserted into the attachment orifice 230thereby permitting the user to tailor the dampening qualities of thedampening device 210 to his or her liking.

[0043]FIG. 15 shows another embodiment of a dampening device 310 whereinthe body portion 312 includes at least one attachment passageway 332formed therein. The attachment passageway 332 may be formed on the bodyportion 312 proximate to the planar surface 313. In an alternateembodiment, the attachment passageway 332 may located distally from theplanar surface 313. The attachment passageway 332 may be configured toreceive one or more attachment ties 334 therethrough. Exemplaryattachment ties 334 include, without limitation, strings, bands, cables,ties, zip ties, tapes, ropes, clamps, or the like. In the illustratedembodiment, the dampening device 310 is coupled to the bow limb 3A.Optionally, the dampening device 310 may be coupled to any portion ofthe bow 1 (See FIG. 1) including, the bow limbs 3A, 3B, the bow riser 4,and/or the bow grip 5. As a result, those skilled in the art willappreciate that dampening device 310 may be coupled to the bow 1 withoutmodifying the bow limb 3A or forming a hole therein.

[0044] FIGS. 16-19 illustrate another embodiment of a dampening device410. As shown, the dampening device 410 may include an anchoring device440 attachable to bow limbs 3A, 3B. (See FIG. 1) and a body portion 412′configured to be detachably coupled to the anchoring device 440.Referring to FIG. 16, the anchoring device 440 may be detachably coupledto the bow 1 and includes an anchor body 442 defining a bow limb passage444 and having at least one coupling channel 446 formed thereon. The bowlimb passage 444 is size to engage and be retained on at least one ofthe bow limbs 3A, 3B of the bow 1. (See FIG. 1). In the illustratedembodiment, the bow limb passage 444 is sized to receive the first andsecond bow limbs 3A, 3B, respectively, therein and may compressivelyattach thereto. Optionally, anchoring device 440 may couple to the bowlimbs 3A, 3B using a variety of ways. For example, the anchoring device440 may include adhesive, screws, bolts, pins, ties, or other device toattach the anchoring device 440 to the bow limbs 3A, 3B. In theillustrated embodiment, two coupling channels 446A, 446B are formed onthe anchoring device 440. Optionally, any number of coupling channelsmay be formed on the body portion 412′. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, thedampening device 410 is positioned on the second surface 11B of the bowlimbs 3A proximate to the bow pulley 9A. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that the dampening device 410 may be coupled to the bow 1 atany variety of locations and surfaces.

[0045] Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, the body portion 412′ includes awedge-like extension 414′ extending therefrom and a planar surface 413′attached thereto. In one embodiment, the planar surface 413′ extendsbeyond the width W of the body portion 412′ and is configured to engageand be retained within the coupling channel 446. Exemplary devices usedto couple the body portion 412′ to the anchoring device 440 include,without limitation, lock members, lock channels, screws, pins, frictionfits, snap fits, adhesives, and tapes.

[0046]FIGS. 18 and 19 show an embodiment of the anchoring element 440and the anchoring elements coupled to the first bow limb 3A. As shown inFIG. 18, the anchoring elements 440 are coupled to the bow limb 3Aproximate to a bow pulley relief 450 and the body portion 412′ isdetachably coupled to the anchoring device 440. In FIG. 19, the bodyportion 412′ has been removed from the bow limb 3A leaving the anchoringelement 440 attached thereto.

[0047] FIGS. 20-24 show an alternate embodiment of an anchoring device560. As shown in FIGS. 20-22, the anchoring device 560 includes ananchor body 562 defining an insert passage 564 and at least one bow limbpassage 566 therein. The insert passage 564 is sized to receive aninsert 580 therein. In one embodiment, the insert 580 is manufacturedfrom the material used to manufacture the anchoring device 562. In analternate embodiment, the insert 580 may be manufactured from adifferent material used to manufacture the anchoring device 562. Forexample, the insert 580 may be manufactured from fiberglass, metals,composite materials, plastics, silicons, rubbers, ceramics, or any othermaterial having suitable dampening characteristics. In one embodiment,the insert 580 is manufactured from a material which is frequencymatched to the vibrational frequency of the bow 1 of the variouscomponents thereof. The insert 580 and the insert passage 562 may bemanufactured in a variety of shapes, including rectangular, square,circular, and oval. The bow limb passage 566 are sized to receive andretain at least a portion of the bow limbs 3A, 3B therein. FIG. 22 showsthe insert 580 being inserted into the anchoring device 560. The insert580 may be inserted into the insert passage 562 and advanced thereinalong the line of arrow A. Those skilled in the art will appreciate theability of the user to remove and replace the insert 580 within theinsert passage 560 permits the user to tailor the dampening qualitiesand “feel” of the dampening device and bow to his or her liking. In analternate embodiment, the insert 580 may be partially inserted into theinsert passage 560 thereby permitting the user to “tune” the dampeningqualities of the dampening device. For example, the user may partiallyinstall the insert 580 in the insert passage 560 to match thevibrational frequency of the dampening device 410 to the vibrationalcharacteristics of the bow 1.

[0048]FIGS. 23 and 24 show the anchoring device 560 attached to thefirst bow limb 3A. As shown, a body portion 512′ may be detachablycoupled to the anchoring element 560 as described above. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 23, the insert passage 564 is free of an insert580. If desired, the user may utilize the anchoring elements 560 andbody portion 512′ without inserting an insert 580 therein.Alternatively, the user may choose to install the insert 580 into theinsert passage 564, as shown in FIG. 24, by inserting the insert 580into the insert passage 564 and advancing the insert 580 along arrow A.

[0049]FIGS. 25 and 26 show alternate embodiments of dampening devices.As shown in FIG. 25, the dampening device 610 includes an insert 616formed in a wedge-like portion 614. The dampening device 610 consists ofat least two parts made of a vibration dampening material, such as anelastomer. In one embodiment, the two parts are made of the samevibration dampening material. In an alternate embodiment, the two partsare made of vibration dampening materials having different hardness anddampening properties. In one embodiment, the planar surface 613 has ashortened length and may be adhered or otherwise coupled to the bow 1.As shown, an adhesive A may be used to couple the dampening device 610to the bow, although any number of fasteners may be used to couple thedampening device 610 to the bow 1. The wedge-like extension 614 includesan insert 616 suspended above the bow limb 3A, 3B. (See FIG. 1). In oneembodiment, the planar surface 613 comprises a flexible plastic plateattached the body portion 612. FIG. 26 shows an embodiment of thedampening device 710 having an insert 716 formed in the body portion 712proximate to the wedge-like extension 714. Unlike the embodiment shownin FIG. 25, the planar surface 713 is in communication with orpositioned proximate to the wedge-like extension 714. The planar surface713 may include an adhesive A for affixing the dampening device 710 tothe bow, or may include any number of attaching device thereon.

[0050] The various embodiments of the dampening devices disclosed abovemay be manufactured in a variety of sizes and shapes. For example, asshown in FIGS. 6-8, the body portion 12 may be manufactured to form acontinuous structure. In the alternative, the body portion 12 mayinclude one or more irregularities formed thereon. As shown in FIG. 10,the body portion 12 may include one or more slots 90 formed thereon.Optionally, the body portion 12 may include one or more bumps, holes,tabs, fins, fenestrations, or other surface irregularity thereon.Further, the dampening devices disclosed herein may be manufactured formone or more elastomers. For example, the dampening device may bemanufactured from an elastomer having a Shore hardness of 0-60 (Shore Ascale). In the alternative, multiple elastomers may be used having acombination of different Shore hardness of the elastomers can range from0-60 (Shore A scale). Optionally, the dampening device may bemanufactured from fiberglass, metals, ceramics, plastics, compositematerials, or any other material having a desired dampening orvibrational characteristics. In one embodiment the dampening device isapproximately 65 mm long by 15 mm wide and 25 mm high, but dimensionscan vary depending on the size and power of the bows and cross bows.

[0051] In the various embodiments disclosed above, the dampening devicesor components thereof may be attached to the bow at various locations.For example, the dampening device may be coupled to the bow limbs, bowriser, or bow grip. After the arrow is released, the limbs generateintense vibration. By oscillating independently from the limbs, thedampening device speedily and effectively dampens the vibration of thelimbs and reduces the noise associated with it.

[0052]FIG. 27 shows a test rig used in MIT's Harold Edgerton laboratoryto evaluate the dampener of the invention and U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,046 ofNov. 8, 1994 (S. C. Sims). Amplitude and frequency of oscillation (andacceleration) of the bow were measured without dampeners and withrespective dampeners attached. Those tests were supplemented bystroboscopic photography. Similar tests were made with a hand held bow.Both forms of dampeners significantly reduced vibration of the bow. Alsothe present invention had noticeable improvement over the dampener ofthe '046 patent in reduction of amplitude of the acceleration waveformfor bow vibration, particularly in a 40-60 millisecond time range (afterstring release).

[0053] Although the invention has been described with respect to variousembodiments, it should be realized this invention is also capable of awide variety of further and other embodiments within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dampening device for an archery bow,comprising: a body portion; a substantially wedge-like extensionextending from the body portion; and a planar surface connected to thebody portion and configured to be secured to a bow.
 2. The device ofclaim 1 wherein the dampening device is manufactured from an elastomer.3. The device of claim 1 wherein the dampening device is manufacturedfrom at least one material selected from the group consisting of metal,fiberglass, plastic, silicon, rubber, composite materials, and ceramic.4. The device of claim 1 wherein a vibration characteristic of thedampening device is matched to a vibration characteristic of a componentof a bow.
 5. The device of claim 4 wherein the component of a bow isselected from the group consisting of bow limbs, bow risers, and bowgrips.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein the elastomer has a hardness ofabout range 0 to about 60 on the Shore A hardness scale.
 7. The deviceof claim 1 wherein the planar surface further comprises an adhesive faceconfigured to be adhesively secured to the bow.
 8. The device of claim 1wherein the planar surface is integral to the body portion.
 9. Thedevice of claim 1 wherein the planar surface is adhesively coupled tothe body portion.
 10. The device of claim 1 wherein the dampening deviceis adhesively coupled to the bow using at least one material selectedfrom a group consisting of super glue, general purpose glue, epoxyresin, acrylic resin, urethane, resin, cement, natural gums and resins,mucilage, starch, starch derivatives, rubber adhesives, and cellulosederivatives,
 11. The device of claim 1 further comprising at least oneattachment port formed on the body portion and configured to receive atleast one attachment device therein.
 12. The device of claim 11 whereinthe at least one attachment device is selected from a group consistingof bolts, screws, nails, clips, channels, bands, ties, compression fits,and snap-fits.
 13. The device of claim 12 further comprising at leastone attachment member integral with the body portion.
 14. The device ofclaim 12 wherein the attachment member further comprises a head portionhaving a diameter D and a shaft having a diameter D′, wherein diameterD′ is less than diameter D.
 15. The device of claim 12 wherein theattachment member further comprises a shaft having one or more flexibleflanges extending therefrom.
 16. The device of claim 1 furthercomprising at least one attachment passageway formed in the body portionand sized to receive at least one attachment tie therethrough.
 17. Thedevice of claim 16 wherein the at least one attachment tie is selectedfrom a group consisting of strings, bands, cables, ties, zip ties,tapes, ropes, and clamps.
 18. The device of claim 1 further comprisingat least one anchoring device configured to be affixed to the bow andsized to engage and retain the body portion thereon.
 19. The device ofclaim 18 wherein the anchoring device is detachably coupled to the bow.20. The device of claim 18 wherein the anchoring device comprises: ananchor body defining a bow limb passage; and at least one couplingchannel configured to receive and retain the body portion therein. 21.The device of claim 18 further comprising at least one insert passageformed in the anchor body.
 22. The device of claim 21 further comprisingan insert positionable within the insert passage.
 23. The device ofclaim 22 wherein the body portion is manufactured from a first elastomermaterial and the insert is manufactured from a second elastomermaterial.
 24. The device of claim 22 wherein the body portion ismanufactured from a first elastomer material and the insert ismanufactured from at least one material selected from the groupconsisting of from fiberglass, metal, ceramic, plastic, or compositematerial.
 25. The device of claim 16 wherein the body portion couples tothe anchoring device using at least one device selected from the groupconsisting of lock members, lock channels, screws, pins, friction fits,snap fits, adhesives, and tapes
 26. The device of claim 1 furthercomprising an attachment plate coupled to the body portion.
 27. Thedevice of claim 1 wherein the attachment plate further comprises anattachment orifice formed therein and configured to traverse theattachment plate and the body portion.
 28. A dampening device for anarchery bow, comprising: a body portion; a substantially wedge-likeextension extending from the body portion; a planar surface connected tothe body portion and configured to be secured to a bow; and anattachment plate coupled to the body portion.
 29. A dampening device foran archery bow, comprising: at least one anchoring device configured tobe affixed to the bow; and a body portion having a substantiallywedge-like extension extending from the body portion and a planarsurface connected to the body portion and configured to couple the bodyportion to the anchoring device.